Hello My name is Tiffany. I recently became serious about loosing weight. I have been a member of spark people for a looooooong time. Too long to be still at the beginning. I live in Gloucester, VA, am married and have two kids almost 7 and almost 4. I am a SAHM. We are in the process of buying our first house and are currently living with my parents until we move. So my stress level is HIGH!!

Hello Virginia, I am returning to SP after a long time of only receiving daily emails and not committing to getting on the website with any consistency. Well, I feel like I am now committed. I am only a few pounds from goal. I am doing WW, but SP has really, really helped with all of the support I have received. The website is full of inspiration. I live in Roanoke, the southwest part of Virginia. Glad to be back!

Hi, I live in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. I am rejoining Spark People to lose some much needed weight, around 50lbs. I mainly want to do it for my health and then for appearance (fit in my clothes). So I am on board and glad to be here, to meet others with same goals. Thank you and stay warm!!

HI, My name is Tamara and I live in Locust Grove, VA. My husband and I moved here this past summer. We have 3 sons, 2 daughter in laws, 4 grandsons (3 here and 1 an angel in heaven).

I joined sparkpeople in the middle of November. I would like to lose about 65 lbs. but more importantly I would like to start living a healthier lifestyle. I want to use this website for motivation, accountability and support.

Hello. My name is Thomas and I live in Charlottesville. I am married (11 years), and have 2 kids (1 girl (7) and 1 boy (2). My wife and I both work in healthcare. I am a Certified Surgical First Assistant and she is a Nurse Practitioner. I had gastric band surgery 5 years ago and I have lost and kept 130 pounds off. I use this website mostly for protein calculation and tracking.

I'm live in Norfolk Va. I've also lived in Virginia Beach, when my dad was stationed here in the navy. I followed suit and also got stationed here. When I got out I came back to live here. So it's my third time around in the great state of Virginia. I've been on sparkpeople a few times. I hoping it sticks this time. I have over 50 pounds to lose.

I'm Karen, better known as livedaily here on SP. While I do not currently live in VA, my ties to VA are very strong. My Dad was US Navy, and we were stationed in VA twice, once for 2 years (in Newport News), and the second time for 8 years (in Norfolk), after which my Dad retired, and my parents bought a farm in Mathews Co. My brother was born in VA, and currently lives in Louisa, and I go visit them every chance I get!

I am an elementary school teacher, currently teaching First Grade. Gearing up to go back to it after Labor Day.

I am thrilled to become a part of the Virginia leadership team! Come visit my spark page! If there's any questions about education or SP, don't hesitate to ask!

Hi all. Im from Eastern VA. and Im here to lose 130 lbs. and hopefully turn my life around.. I've already lost 22. and that's the good news... That said, I wouldn't say no if you wanted to send up a sincere prayer or two for me.. My life is pretty bad right now.. Thank you very much for your support. I appreciate it more than you could possibly know.

I do not know if I am doing this right but I am trying to introduce my self. I am Rachel from the Fredericksburg area. I have been with spark for a while on and off, I am back in need of help to be he a healthier and happier. I am 30 years old as of last month and am currently going to school for psychology. If I am not doing this right let me know how to do it right thank you

Hi Everyone! My name is June and I live in Chesapeake, VA. about 20 miles South of Virginia Beach! I am working on a lower carb diet and increasing my exercise since I got the okay from my surgeon as I had ankle surgery last October. I am a retired nurse and that is when I started gaining weight. I will be 72 in August and I want to stay healthy so that is my main reason but then I want to feel good in my clothes. Looking forward to meeting everyone. Enjoy your day!

'allo, team! I'm Sherri (but you can call me Noni). I'm currently in the Charlottesville area of Virginia, enjoying a bit of peace and quiet now that the college kids of left for the summer. ^_~ I just joined SP yesterday, starting my journey towards hopefully breaking the 150lbs barrier that's been haunting me since middle school.

Anyone in the C'ville area have any recommendations for good, inexpensive gyms? I used to be a member of the ACAC, and then I joined Success Studios - both were GREAT gyms, but I just can't afford to pay more than $100 a month in gym fees.

"Let go. Give over to The Divine. All that you are. All that you have. Including your pain. Calm your breath. Repeat. My pain belongs to the divine. It is like air. It is like water." -Andromeda

I am Melissa and I live in Harrisonburg V.A.. I moved to Virginia about 3 years ago and I'm a stay at home mom so I haven't had much of a chance to meet people. It hasn't been easy trying to balance good nutrition and fitness while my fiancé doesn't care much for it, constantly buying junk food. But I am excited to say that 46 days in and I have lost 26 pounds! I still have 44 pounds to reach my goal, but, I am determined. I'm looking forward to meeting people who will help me reach my goal and stay motivated.

Hello all! I'm Rachel and am currently living in the Netherlands with my Dutch husband. I sure do miss the Appalachian mountains in this flat country! I joined Spark People mainly for the meal plans and calorie tracking. These things help keep me accountable.

I am Jenn and I live in Northern VA. This is my 2nd full time commitment to Spark (I had some success 2 years ago but let life undo the results). It hasn't been easy trying to balance good nutrition and fitness while juggling 2-3 jobs and my two boys (I am a single mom) but I am happy to say that 102 days in and I have gotten rid of 17 unwanted lbs! I have 5 more I want to lose as well as start toning and getting back to a body/mind that I haven't had in a long time. Looking forward to the journey with my fellow Virginians :)

Hello! My name is Monica and I live in Springfield, VA. I just happened upon the site when i was searching for an exercise buddy. If anyone is in the area and is interested in buddying-up, let me know. I currently have a membership to the Gold's Gym in the Bradlick Shopping Center, but I would like to do water aerobics so I'm thinking of joining either the Rec or XSport Fitness (they're 24/7). I would be available weekends and weekdays after 4. I'm an early bird at work so I like to be done and home by 6. :)

Hello everyone. My name is Rhonda an this is my first time on SparkPeople. I live in the Greenbrier area of Chesapeake. I am an RN currently working as a Case Manager. I have 25 very stubborn pounds to get off. I had back surgery after a car accident one year ago tomorrow and I struggle every day with movement. I am trying really hard to stick to a healthy eating program and have managed to kick 20lbs off myself. Now I really need some support and encouragement. These next 25 are not coming off without some added exercise - and I have to take the phrase "No pain, no gain" literally. Wish me luck!! If there is anyone that lives in this area that needs a walking partner that is interested in starting out slow and building up, I am your girl.

Hi everyone - and NELL!!! :) I am not doing exchanges right now - I have had more success with South Beach. I gained a lot of weight and had a hard time (and a lot of physical problems) getting it off. But South Beach helped me do that. I've lost motivation and need to get it back. I'm hoping that I can build that again with Spark.

And yes - let me know when you want to come down this way - we will do the town.

Ok everyone... starting tomorrow I will be posting my eating plan for the day. Is there a special place to put that so I don't crowd up this board? I just want accountability.

OMG Nita!! I am so glad you are back!! Once the weather gets better I'll have to get down to see you again! I owe you a lunch, I haven't forgotten. TOPS is a wonderful program, are you doing exchanges? That is my second language!

Nell Reston, Virginia

No one ever got up in the morning wishing she'd eaten more the night before.

Hello Everyone! I'm coming back to Spark after a long time away. I live in Orange County, Virginia and lead our TOPS group in our community. I have 13 lbs to meet my goal (but then would like to go about 10 lbs lower after I get to goal since it is still high).

I just joined this team. I just saw that there was a Virginia team as well as a Northern Virginia team. Remember about 25 years ago when some people wanted Northern Virginia to secede from the state to keep tax revenue local? Personally I'm happy with being a 100% Virginian.

Nell Reston, Virginia

No one ever got up in the morning wishing she'd eaten more the night before.

New on the SparkPeople scene, I'm a soon-to-be college grad in Charlottesville looking forward to getting back to my former fitness! My biggest challenge is healthy eating and portion control but I know I can do it!

Hello everyone. I'm from Reston in Fairfax County. Two of my kids live in Arlington, one here in Reston, and one lives in Madison but works in Culpeper, so I spend a lot of time down that way. I look forward to discovering Sparkers from all over this beautiful state!

Nell Reston, Virginia

No one ever got up in the morning wishing she'd eaten more the night before.

Hi. My names Ashley and I live in Richmond. I've been off and on on Spark People for a couple of years now. I've really been lacking motivation lately and am hoping to find it again so I can get back into doing my workouts.

Thanks for your response and your welcome to SP!! Your plan today sounds great!! It is so important to just get up and move. Making a game out of it sounds like a very positive outcome indeed!! I did a 5 mile walking DVD of Leslie Sansone's today. I didn't think I was going to make it through the entire thing, but I did!! I feel so much better having accomplished that today. It has been a very long time since I walked 5 miles all at once. Here's to meeting our goals, one step at a time!!

Mamashans! I'm feeling your pain on giving up running, as I have a bum hip just when I should be in full-up training for a half marathon. In the meantime, I look for quick ways to add fitness to my routine. Today I'm playing a game in which I get up every 30 minutes or so and walk for 10 minutes through the house doing some picking up and decluttering.

Hello!! I just joined SP two days ago!! This is my first time using SP. I have 80 pounds to lose. I live in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. I am married to my college sweetheart. We have two active boys. I broke my ankle 4 years ago and put on this weight during this time. I was running and had lost 100 pounds when that happened. I have almost gained that weight back. I am on here now and joined a gym. With all of the snow, I can't always get to the gym, so I am doing walking work outs at home. I have to keep moving for the scale to keep moving down.

Hello, I am Susan. I call myself Yankeebella since I was born and reared in western NY state but have lived in VA now for 33 years so that makes me part Southern Belle.

Gained weight at age 13 and have just been going up and up over 45 years now. Have tried numerous programs but give up. Lack discipline though I am a nurse who teaches nursing students. So I had the discipline for my education but not for my weight...go figure. Yea, I am still trying to figure that out.

I am divorced though my ex passed away last year (age 61 and had chronic illnesses that he did not take care of). I work as a nurse educator and have two sons and two cats. I live in the Hampton Roads area.

Younger son getting married in Oct so I don't want to look frumpy!

I have been on and off SP over the last several years. It is a great, free site full of info.

Hi - My name is Jennifer and I live in the tri-city area of Virginia. A co-worker told me about this website and I must say I'm impressed. I cant wait to have some time later to be able to look around and get my page situated. My goal is to lose some weight and to just live healthier. I am married now 14 years and have four fur-babies. I welcome anyone's friendship, ideas, and encouragement.

Hi, I am returning after an on again off again member of sparkpeople, I do love this place I am just easily sidetracked. =) I live in Fredericksburg, have 4 fantastic kids whom we homeschool, well only 2 are left homeschooling, the older two have now graduated. About a year ago I took a part-time job merchandising and noticed around the 6 month mark that I felt better and had lost some weight and by the 8 month mark I was a full size smaller, so the light bulb finally clicked on and I recently added the gym into my day. My daughter and I have taken up cycling which I love. So I have finally begun tracking again on here and it truly keeps me motivated. I look forward to getting to know you all.

Hi! I'm 34, SAHM with an almost 3 year old son in the NRV'ish area and in the process of either diagnosing a Cushing's Disease endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/cushings/cushings.aspx or ruling it out (tho she believes part of my weight issues is most definitely endocrine with my body shape, fatigue, stretch marks, "fatty hump between the shoulders" - check out the link, it might save your life). At my last doctor's appointment I was surprised to see the scale heading closer to 400 than I ever dreamed. We're building a battle plan to fight as hard as we can, with my ultimate goal to WIN. I don't have an option - it's win or die.

Edited by: REYAFAE at: 1/24/2014 (19:34)

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